Founded in 2005, the Silmarillion Writers' Guild exists for discussions of and creative fanworks based on J.R.R. Tolkien's The Silmarillion and related texts. We are a positive-focused and open-minded space that welcomes fans from all over the world and with all levels of experience with Tolkien's works. Whether you are picking up Tolkien's books for the first time or have been a fan for decades, we welcome you to join us!
New Challenge: Title Track Tolkien's titles range from epic to lyrical to metaphorical. This month's challenge selected 125 of them as prompts for fanworks.
Our Annual Amnesty Challenge: New Year's Resolution Start 2026 off with creativity! If you missed a challenge or didn't get to finish or post a challenge fanwork, complete any 2025 challenge before 15 February to receive the stamp.
He was going to die. The molten rocks would burn him just like the cursed gem in his palm did. Maybe less painfully but still being burnt hurt and Maedhros knew it. He intimately knew it from his time in Angband where Þauron burnt him often in frustration and to toy with him and his master…
“Come on.” Maedhros grabbed his hand and pulled him along down the path, both of them quickening their pace now, until the trees opened up into a wide meadow filled with flowers, bright yellow celandine and dandelions and sweet-scented pale chamomile mingling with cornflowers and irises. On…
Aldarion storms off towards Middle-earth. For the Title Track challenge.
Current Challenge
Title Track
Create a fanwork using our collection of 125 titles from Tolkien's books, chapters, essays, poems, and fragments as inspiration. Read more ...
Random Challenge
Holidays in Arda
Set a fanwork in a place that you would like to visit on Arda, whether a city, region, island, or body of water. Read more ...
This presentation for Mereth Aderthad 2025 discusses the parallels between the concept of abnegation in the scientific work surrounding the atomic bomb and in The Silmarillion. The relinquishment of self-interest in favor of the interests of others, abnegation was identified by Tolkien as a powerful act of spirit and reason. The legendarium has many examples of the complexities of abnegation, which parallel similar discussions held by physicists during and after World War II.
This presentation for Mereth Aderthad 2025 discusses the many similarities between Tolkien's three "twilight children," Tinúviel, Lómion, and Undómiel (Luthien, Maeglin, and Arwen) in terms of appearance, plot, and cultural background. Yet these three characters play very different roles in the text.
Presented at Mereth Aderthad 2025, this paper makes the case thata, although the term "aromantic" had not yet been coined in Tolkien's day, many of his characters can be read as aromantic. The paper takes a closer look at Aredhel, Bilbo, and Boromir as three examples of characters who can be read as aromantic.
“There’s a goblin hiding in the taters, Dad!” Pippin hefted the pan, which was much too big for him to carry, let alone wield.
Around the World and Web
March Challenge - Tolkien Short Fanworks
Tolkien Short Fanworks is running a challenge for the month of March to create a Back to Middle-earth Month themed challenge.
Tolkien Fashion Week 2026
This two-week-long Tumblr event is dedicated to honoring the world of fashion and textiles Tolkien wrote about in his books.
Celegorm and Curufin Week 2026
Celegorm and Curufin Week is a Tumblr week celebrating the relationship between Celegorm and Curufin Feanorion
Back to Middle-earth Month 2026
Back to Middle-earth Month is returning for it's 20th year with many prompts and archival efforts.
The Silmarillion Writers' Guild is more than just an archive--we are a community! If you enjoy a fanwork or enjoy a creator's work, please consider letting them know in a comment.
When I saw that the protagonist was called Janet, I thought of Tam Lin immediately... now I'm all proud I guessed right ^__^
A lovely faery tale - I really liked your interpretation of the "everlasting dark", as well as the faery tale/Tolkien hybrid. And dammit, I'm slightly jealous of Janet ;)
I'm glad you enjoyed the story. I had a great time writing it. Janet was an absolute blast to write - and I suspect she and now-mortal Feanor had the traditional fairytale "appily ever after" ending. (I hope she's up for six more kids, though!)
I enjoyed this very much! I admire Janet's guts and pluckiness, she'd need it if she's going to be married to Feanor. And thanks for giving him a happy ending. ;-)
I'm glad yuo enjoyed the story. Janet was a lot of fun to write: plucky, but with absolutely no idea of what she was getting herself into. And I figured that after spending who knows how many Ages with Ungoliant, poor Feanor had atoned enough and deserved a happy ending.
I am remiss in offering my compliments on this fine deep dark faerie tale with its oh-so-satisfying finish. Quite some time ago -- before you re-emerged in fandom :^) -- someone (Rhapsy or Marta, I believe) directed me to "Of Leaves of Red and Petals Gold: A Faerie Tale" on HASA where I devoured it -- like Ungoliant devoured her mates, her young and light itself -- in one sitting.
I'm hard pressed to name any one of your stories as my "favorite" because each one draws me into the Ithilwen!verse and holds me there, but this one really exemplifies your creativity. Not only do I have a soft spot for elves-in-modern-times stories, but I also love to read and write "mixed mythologies" within the Tolkien legendarium. So OLoGaPR really fits the bill here. Add to that two memorable, well-drawn characters, one canon and portrayed perfectly and one of a type I would so like to see more of in Tolkienian fan fic -- a strong and authentic OFC -- and a villainous creature who could have dropped in (on a silk filament) from Lovecraft, and well, I am over the moon with delight over this story.
I'll conclude my effusive (but heartfelt) verbiage with a simple "Brava!"
Thank you for the wonderful review, Pande. I'm so glad you like this story; it's one of my personal favorites.
I can't take too much credit for its creativity; the story's genesis was a discussion on the Henneth Annun mailing list about fanfic stories featureing evil!seductive!movie!Haldir. Dwimmordene mentioned that she saw Feanor as a much more plausible Tam Lin type than Haldir - and that set the plotbunnies a'chewing. Twenty-four hours later, after a frantic all-night writing session, Of Leaves of Gold was born. Now, where OFC Janet came from - I have no idea!
A feisty, sympathetic modern girl, old folktales, everybody's favourite Noldo, action/adventure, romance, and some great bit of humour/references... what's not to love about this story?
I know I've reviewed this a lot over the years, but it's one I often come back to re-read and I always enjoy it everytime I do. As always, thank you for taking on this plot bunny and spinning out such a fun, engaging story from it! Definitely one of my fanfiction classics!
This is an old favorite of mine as well. Hard to believe a throwaway comment from Dwim on the HASA mailing list led to it! And she was right: Feanor DOES make a great Tam Lin.
Comments on Of Leaves of Gold and Petals Red: A Faery Tale
The Silmarillion Writers' Guild is more than just an archive--we are a community! If you enjoy a fanwork or enjoy a creator's work, please consider letting them know in a comment.